From Texas to New York: My Creative Journey and Big Move
I was born in Austin but raised in Houston, which has been my home for many years. Growing up, I was always drawn to anything creative—art, DIY projects, and exploring new ideas. My mom made being a child so much fun by ensuring I had endless opportunities to explore my creativity. She introduced me to all kinds of activities. There was always something new to try, whether crafting, experimenting with different hobbies, or finding unique ways to express myself. She ensured I was never bored and encouraged me to enjoy the process, whatever it was. From making handmade cards for people to creating photo albums just for fun, I had the freedom to dive into creative projects without limits. When it came to school projects, I always went above and beyond, adding extra details and flair to make them stand out. Creativity was never forced on me—it was simply part of my life, and my mom made it natural and enjoyable as I grew up.
People have always told me I stood out—whether it was how I dressed, styled my hair, or expressed myself in other ways. My appearance and creativity were often described as “different,” but I’ve always embraced that. Who doesn’t love being unique? Standing out has always been something I valued because it felt authentically me. Creativity isn’t just something I do—it’s who I am. Every part of me is rooted in creativity, from my next hairstyle to my makeup, clothes, or projects.
My mom and grandparents have played a massive role in shaping who I am creatively. They’ve always supported me unconditionally, letting me explore my ideas—even when they were unconventional or a little “out there.” Their encouragement and belief in me inspired me to push boundaries and dream bigger. They’ve been my rock, showing me that being different is something to be celebrated, not hidden. Their love and constant support have been the foundation of my creative success, and I carry their influence with me in everything I do.
My husband and I have always dreamed of moving to New York City, the ultimate hub for creativity, art, and inspiration. Initially, we planned to move in 2020, but COVID changed everything. At the time, I had just graduated, and we were focused on saving for our wedding after getting engaged in 2019. With so much going on, we delayed our dream and married in March 2022.
After getting married, we moved into our first apartment in August 2022, and it was everything I’d ever dreamed of for a first home. Growing up, I always imagined living in the Houston Galleria area, and this apartment was even better than I could have hoped. The walls were thick—you could never hear your neighbors—and it came with built-in speakers, which were my favorite. The balcony offered views of Houston’s skyline. The bathroom. It was massive. I could go on for days about how perfect it was. It indeed was the best first apartment we could have asked for.
The timing was tricky when we started thinking about moving to New York. We initially considered September 2024, but updating my resume and applying for jobs took longer than expected. The job search was also challenging—New York is so fast-paced, and most companies wanted in-person interviews the next day, which wasn’t ideal while we were still in Texas.
Ultimately, we decided to make the move in January 2025. It gave us time to enjoy the holidays with our families and start the new year fresh in New York City. It feels like the perfect way to begin this new chapter of our lives, and I’m so excited to finally pursue the creativity and inspiration I’ve been craving in the city of my dreams.
While it gave me so much, Houston never had the creative energy I needed to thrive. Moving to New York felt like the next step in my journey to grow and challenge myself as an innovative individual. I want to show my mom, grandparents, and husband what I’m capable of—to prove their love and support weren’t in vain. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have such a supportive family, and I don’t take that for granted. They inspire me daily to push boundaries and embrace my creativity in everything I do.
Our lease ended on December 16, so we had to put most of our belongings into a storage pod since we didn’t have an apartment in New York City yet. Once I land a job, we’ll have the pod shipped to wherever we decide to settle.
We stayed with our moms about a month before the move to avoid paying an extra month of rent. Looking back, I’m so grateful for that time. I loved spending quality time with my mom and grandma before this big transition—it was a unique way to close one chapter before starting another.
This was my first big move, and I wanted it to be as smooth and stress-free as possible. While my husband had moved once during college, it was only for a year or two. This move felt monumental for both of us. It wasn’t just a new apartment but a new city, lifestyle, and adventure.
We drove from Texas to New York City with our two fur babies, Kalani and Blu. We planned to leave on January 10, but a massive winter storm threw a wrench in our schedule. Our second stop was supposed to be in Georgia, but as Texans, we weren’t about to risk icy roads. After waiting out the storm for two extra days, we hit the road on January 12.
The drive was 26 hours long, and our halfway point was Georgia, where we stayed with my husband’s uncle. The journey wasn’t too bad—just long—and we were exhausted when we reached New York City around 10:30 PM.
We had to unload everything from the van when we arrived at our Airbnb. And let me tell you, that was no small task! Being a Texas girl, I’m used to everything being bigger—including my wardrobe—and as someone who loves fashion, I couldn’t leave all my clothes behind. It took us about 45 minutes in the cold to unload everything, drop off the van, and finally collapse into bed.
Now that I’ve been in New York for about three weeks, I can confidently say I wouldn’t change a thing about this move. I finally feel like I’m in a place where I belong. There’s so much to see, explore, and be inspired by—it’s like my creativity is ready to explode. The endless food options are insane (and as a foodie, I’m in heaven), and I can’t get enough of the fashion. It’s refreshing to step out and see others dressed up and embracing their style, something I rarely saw in Texas.
New York, be good to me. I can’t wait to see this city's opportunities, from new job adventures to creative inspirations. And while I’m ready to embrace all that New York has to offer, I also want to bring a little taste of Texas with me—because you can’t take the Texas out of this girl.
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